Why Photographing Every MP in Parliament Is My Dream Photography Assignment
Why Photographing Every MP in Parliament Is My Dream Photography Assignment
Peter Bedford MP – Professional Headshot
Mid Leicestershire MP Peter Bedford photographed during his visit to Glenfield Electrical. This professionally lit outdoor portrait was later adopted as his public Facebook profile image and formed part of the same-day image delivery from the assignment.
As photographers, we all have that one job we’d love to land.
For some, it’s photographing the Olympics. For others, it’s a royal event or a major sporting final.
For me, it’s much closer to home.
My dream assignment would be photographing every Member of Parliament at Westminster.
A project unlike any other
Several years ago, the UK Parliament commissioned a large-scale photography project to create consistent portraits of every MP. Hundreds of politicians were photographed over just a couple of days, requiring meticulous planning, flawless organisation and a photographer who could produce exceptional, consistent portraits at speed.
It’s exactly the kind of challenge I love.
Not because of the prestige—although that would certainly be an honour—but because it combines everything I enjoy most about corporate photography: meeting people, working efficiently under pressure, building rapport in seconds and delivering consistent results all day long.
High-volume photography is a specialist skill
People often assume taking hundreds of headshots simply means repeating the same photograph over and over.
The reality is very different.
Every person walks in differently. Some are relaxed, others nervous. Some have only a minute to spare. Others arrive late or need a little reassurance in front of the camera.
The challenge is creating portraits that feel natural and approachable while maintaining complete consistency across every image.
That balance of speed, quality and people skills is something I’ve spent years developing.
Since launching Pete Martin Photography in 2018, I’ve photographed an estimated 10,000 professional headshots.
That experience includes:
Photographing around 300 employees in a single day for Mars Petcare.
Large multi-day corporate headshot projects across multiple locations.
Corporate conferences where thousands of moments need capturing without missing a beat.
Executive portraits for directors, leadership teams and business owners throughout the Midlands and beyond.
Large-scale photography isn’t just about having the right camera. It’s about having the right workflow.
Every portrait matters
Whether I’m photographing a graduate, a CEO, a solicitor or a Member of Parliament, my goal is always the same.
I want people to look confident, approachable and authentic.
A great portrait helps people make a connection before they’ve even spoken.
For elected representatives, that connection is incredibly important. Constituents expect to see someone who is professional, approachable and trustworthy.
Photography plays a small but significant part in creating that first impression.
Photographing Peter Bedford MP
Last week I had the opportunity to photograph Mid Leicestershire MP Peter Bedford during his visit to Glenfield Electrical, where he was supporting the company’s campaign to help local businesses reduce energy costs and adopt greener technologies. The photographs were supplied the very same day and featured across Peter Bedford’s official news and social media channels. (Peter Bedford)
Peter Bedford MP speaking with Phil Houlder, Director of Glenfield Electrical, during a visit to discuss renewable energy solutions for local businesses.
Projects like this remind me why I enjoy photographing people whose work has a real impact on their communities.
Why this remains my dream assignment
I’ve always enjoyed fast-paced environments.
I like solving logistical challenges.
I enjoy meeting hundreds of different personalities in a short space of time.
Most of all, I enjoy creating portraits that people are genuinely proud to use.
If Parliament, a Government department or a political party ever needed a photographer capable of delivering consistent, high-quality portraits at scale, I’d welcome the opportunity.
Until then, I’ll keep doing what I love—helping organisations of every size create professional photography that represents their people at their very best.
Because whether it’s one portrait or one thousand, every photograph deserves the same care and attention.
Although this article reflects a personal career ambition, it also highlights the skills required for any large-scale headshot project—whether that’s photographing employees, conference delegates, leadership teams or public figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who photographs Members of Parliament?
Official photographs of Members of Parliament may be commissioned by Parliament itself, individual MPs, political parties or communications teams. Depending on the purpose, photography can include official portraits, campaign imagery, media photographs, constituency visits and event coverage.
What makes a good parliamentary or government photographer?
Photographing politicians requires more than technical photography skills. The best photographers work efficiently under pressure, put people at ease quickly, maintain consistent lighting and composition, and deliver images to tight deadlines. Discretion, professionalism and excellent organisational skills are equally important.
How many people can you photograph in a single day?
Large-scale headshot sessions are one of my specialities. Depending on the requirements and schedule, I can photograph several hundred people in a single day while maintaining a consistent, professional look across every portrait. My experience includes photographing around 300 people in one day during a corporate headshot project.
Do you photograph politicians and public sector organisations?
Yes. Alongside corporate businesses, I photograph public sector organisations, local authorities, charities and elected representatives. Every assignment is approached with professionalism, impartiality and attention to detail.
Can you provide same-day image delivery?
Yes. Where required, selected images can be edited and delivered on the same day. This is particularly valuable for media announcements, press releases, social media and news coverage where speed is essential.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Leicester and regularly work throughout the East Midlands, including Nottingham, Derby, Northampton, Birmingham and Coventry. I also travel across the UK for corporate, conference and commercial photography assignments, including London and Westminster.
Do you travel to Westminster or central London?
Absolutely. I regularly travel for client assignments and would be happy to photograph individuals, teams or large-scale projects in Westminster, central London or anywhere else in the UK.
What experience do you have with high-volume headshot photography?
Since 2018, I’ve photographed an estimated 10,000 professional headshots. My work ranges from individual executive portraits to large corporate projects involving hundreds of employees across multiple locations. That experience has helped me develop a fast, consistent workflow while ensuring every person receives a portrait they’re proud to use.
Peter Bedford MP and Phil Houlder look at the cover of Glenfield Electrical’s white paper during the visit. The cover photograph was one I created for the company back in 2023, making it a nice reminder of our ongoing working relationship.
If you’re looking for a photographer to capture professional headshots for your organisation, leadership team or large-scale employee photography project, I’d love to hear from you.
